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Marxists revolutionaries disagree over revoluionary tactics. The more radical Bolsheviks are ready to risk everything. The charismatic Vladimir Lenin becomes the leader.
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Russia faced a series of crises. These events showed the Czar's weakness and paved the way for revolution.
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200,000 workers and their families approached the Czar's winter palace in St. Petersburg. They carried a petition asking for better working conditions, more personal freedom, and an elected national legislature. The soliders shot fire into the crowds of people. (¨Bloody Sunday¨)
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The first Duma met in May, 1906. Its leaders were moderates who wanted Russia to become a constitutional monarchy similar to Britain. He was hesitant to share his power, which caused the Czar to dissolve the Duma after ten weeks.
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Nicholas II made the decision to drag Russia into World War I. Russia was unprepared to fight in the war, causing defeat after defeat.
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Women textile workers in Petrograd led a citywide strike. In the next five days, riots flared up over shortages of bread and fuel. 200,000 workers swarmed the streets, soliders later siding with the workers.
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Armed factory workers stormed the winter palace in Petrograd. Red guards overthrew the provisional government.
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Russia and Germany signed the treaty of Brest- Litovsk. Russia surrendered a large part of its territory to Germany and its allies. Terms of this treaty triggered widespread anger among russians.
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The Civil War raged in Russia. Several western nations including U.S, sent military aid and forces to Russia to help the White army, but was little of help.
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Lenin resorted to a small scale version of capitalism called NEP. The reforms under the NEP allowed peasants to sell their surplus crops instead of turning them over to the government.
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To keep nationalism in check, Lenin organized Russia into several self- governing republics under the central government. In 1922, the country was named the U.S.S.R in honor of the councils that helped launch the Bolshevik revolution.
